Bible: 2 Kings 12

12:1In Jehu’sseventhyearJehoashbecame king; he reignedfor fortyyearsin Jerusalem.1His motherwas Zibiah, who was from Beer Sheba.12:2Throughouthis lifetimeJehoashdid what the Lordapproved,2justas3 Jehoiadathe priesttaughthim.12:3Butthe high placeswere noteliminated; the peoplecontinuedto offer sacrifices and burn incenseon the high places.

12:4Jehoashsaidtothe priests, “I place at your disposal4 allthe consecratedsilverthat has beenbroughtto the Lord’stemple, including the silvercollectedfrom the censustax,5 the silverreceived fromthose who have made vows,6and allthe silverthat peoplehave voluntarilycontributedto the Lord’stemple.712:5The priestsshould receivethe silver they needfrom the treasurersand repairanydamageto the templethey discover.”8

12:6By the twenty-thirdyearof KingJehoash’sreign the priestshad still notrepairedthe damageto the temple.12:7So KingJehoashsummonedJehoiadathe priestalong with the other priests, and saidtothem, “Whyhave you notrepairedthe damageto the temple? Now, takenomore silverfrom your treasurersunlessyou intend to use it to repairthe damage.”912:8The priestsagreed10notto collectsilverfrom the peopleand relievedthemselves of personal responsibility for the templerepairs.11

12:9Jehoiadathe priesttooka chestand drilleda holein its lid. He placedit on the right sideof the altarnearthe entranceof12 the Lord’stemple. The priestswhoguardedtheentrance would put intoit allthe silverbroughtto the Lord’stemple.12:10Whenthey sawthe chestwas full of silver, the royalsecretary13and the high priestcountedthe silverthat had beenbrought to the Lord’stempleand baggedit up.1412:11They would then handover15 thesilverthat had been weighedto the constructionforemen16assignedto the Lord’stemple. They hiredcarpentersand buildersto workon the Lord’stemple,12:12as well as masonsand stonecutters. They boughtwoodand chiseledstoneto repairthe damageto the Lord’stempleand also paidforallthe other expenses.1712:13The silverbroughtto the Lord’stemplewas notusedfor silverbowls, trimmingshears, basins, trumpets, or anykind of goldor silverimplements.12:14Itwas handedover18 to the foremenwho usedit to repairthe Lord’stemple.12:15They did notauditthe treasurers who disbursed19the fundsto the foremen, forthey werehonest.2012:16(The silvercollected in conjunction with reparationofferings and sin offerings was notbroughtto the Lord’stemple; it belonged to the priests.)

12:17At that timeKingHazaelof Syriaattacked21Gathand capturedit. Hazaelthen decided to attackJerusalem.2212:18KingJehoashof Judahcollectedallthe sacreditemsthathis ancestorsJehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, kingsof Judah, hadconsecrated, as well ashis own sacred itemsand allthe goldthat could be foundin the treasuriesof the Lord’stempleand the royalpalace. He sentit all23 to KingHazaelof Syria, who then withdrew24 fromJerusalem.

12:19The restof the eventsof Joash’sreign, including allhis accomplishments, are recordedin the scrollcalled the Annalsof the Kingsof Judah.2512:20His servantsconspired againsthim26 and murderedJoashat Beth-Millo, on the road that goes downto Silla.2712:21His servantsJozabadsonof Shimeathand Jehozabadsonof Shomermurdered him.28He was buried29withhis ancestorsin the cityof David. His sonAmaziahreplacedhim as king.